The Scopus Award

As you have probably now read on the front of the site, the McCourts were honored last night at the Scopus Awards and it was as classy of an event as I think I’ve ever attended. In addition to the former Vice President Al Gore, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former Governor Gray Davis and the famous comedian Don Rickles, it was a who’s who of the Dodger organization.

While that doesn’t sound all that surprising, I can’t remember the last time that all of these people were in the same place: Vin Scully, Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, Don Newcombe, Tommy Davis, Maury Wills, "Sweet" Lou Johnson, Rick Monday, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Grady Little, Nomar Garciaparra, James Loney, Rudy Law, Bobby Castillo, Wes Parker, Ned Colletti, Jaime Jarrin, Charley Steiner and of course, the McCourts, just to name them off the top of my head.

The event, which raised $3 million for Hebrew University, was definitely something I’ll remember for a long time to come. If you’re interested in learning more about the cause, check out the AFHU web site.

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On a different note, I’d also like to point out a new Dodger blog that has hit cyberspace. Dodger Junkie seems to do a pretty good job of analysis and I’ve added the site to the navigation bar at the left, along with some of the other Dodger blogs and notable websites.

if gagne was so optimistic about his return, and so excited to be a dodger, he would take that 4 million (possible 10 million) and run. as much as i hate to say it i agree and concede that ned should not make any moves for the fans sake regarding eric gagne. i was at the game against the braves in 04 when he tried to return. it was sad. i think he gave up two homers. one was a bomb by andruw jones the other I think langerhans. he wants a big pay day to secure his future and he knows his future is not very bright with that porcelain arm hes got.

What a lineup at that event!! Congrats to the McCourt’s. It is indeed an honor to be recognized for philanthropic work. Well done. Also with the payroll now at about $110M they have kept a commitment to continue to build a winning team. At least, that is how it seems to me. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

sorry about that 05′ he tried to come back. anyways bottom line was he hyped himself up for a return, but lied and tried to come back to fast. the result was the braves hitting his formerly nasty changeup out of the park twice. he is not the same pitcher that flew under the radar and won a cy young while making 550,000 dollars.the system that is does not factor loyalty into fielding a better team than the year before.

As far as Gagne goes, I believe that there is a lot more going on here than meets the eye. Based on the fact that not one of Scott Boras’ Dodger clients has re-signed with the Dodgers since the J.D. Drew debacle, I have to believe that Ned Colletti pretty much told Boras to stick it up his *** and that he will no longer do business with him.

I must add that this is only my opinion and I base it on nothing solid. It just appears this way to me. Since Drew left and absent the re-signing on Maddux and Gagne, the Dodgers now have only one remaining Boras client on their roster (Derek Lowe, who is signed through 2008).

Because the money offered to Gagne by the Dodgers was not that far off of what Gagne wanted, I have to believe that there is more to his “non-signing” than just the money.

btw anyone else read that the blue jays sent out the team christmas cards without vernon wells on it. i think it was halladay thomas and overbay?? that sounds like good news to me. coincidence or reality ??

Hey, did you guys see where Jose Cruz Jr. signed a one year – $650K non-guaranteed contract with the Padres? If he plays as well for them as he did with the Dodgers, we are a shoe-in for the NL West title! (hahaha).

Haha,, that is a good sign. But what are you willing to give up for him? And what happens to the outfield? I dont know if i like giving up Penny for him, and that is inevitably what it would be.. Maybe Bills and Hendrickson or something, but i want to give Chad the chance to live up to his Dodger potential, and be our ace like has been said numerous times. Vernon would obviously play center, Pierre has to play, and it looks like Gonzo would start in left? Pierre has NO arm for a right fielder– i think it might pose more problems than it solves…

Congratulations to the McCourt’s and the whole Dodger organization. Your service to the community is commendable.

Being the optimist that I am, I believe that Gagne is going to make a last minute decision to accept a Dodgers offer. I seem to remember a quote by Boras after our offer was turned down that Gagne was going to see what else was out there but the Dodgers would get the last look. I think this cat and mouse game is all Boras and I would advise Ned to leave the door open and wait to see what comes in. I agree Gagne needs to do what is best for his family, but when you’re in his tax bracket the difference between $4 mil and $5 mil isn’t much. With 10% commission to Boras and 50% income tax, take home for Gagne at $4 mil is $1.6 million and at $5 mil it’s $2.0 million. Now if Gagne really feels he’s good to play then one would think he’d see the value of being with the team that has stuck by him and he loves so much. But, if he isn’t good to play or there is a strong possibility of his breaking down again, then he’ll most likely go with the money wherever it comes from. Either way, the ball seems to be in Gagne’s hands !!!

Dec. 11: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the Indians and Rangers are among the finalists for Gagne, who is reportedly seeking a deal worth about $6 million plus $5 million in performance incentives. Gagne turned down a guaranteed contract with the Dodgers, according to the Los Angeles Times. His agent, Scott Boras, passed on a guaranteed one-year, $4 million offer with incentives that could have increased the value to $10 million, according to the paper. The Red Sox have interest in Gagne, reports the Boston Herald, but at a lower figure than the one-year guaranteed deal that he is seeking.

I will burn my “GAME OVER” pennant if Gagne signs else where. (Opening Day first parking area on the right.)

And Gurick……shush with your Gagne theories. This guy has been shown so much love by these fans, if he signs somewhere else for $1 million more! …he can be sure to get an ear full from me if he walks into the Ravine wearing something other than Blue.

October 4, 1946 – Montreal Royals won the Little World Series. Here is a brief clip of how Jackie Robinson was treated. “A delegation of ushers went to see Jackie and asked him to step out, so that they could close the park and call it a season. Jackie came out and the crowd surged on him. Men and women of all ages threw their arms around him, kissed him, pulled and tore at his clothes, and then carried him around the infield on their shouldres, shouting themselves hoarse. Jackie, tears streaming down his face, tried to beg off further honors.” They just loved him in Montreal. Eric and Russell are from Montreal. I would like to see that conection continued. I don’t know if you guys have heard – Laura Gainey, daughter of Montreal Canadien GM Bob Gainey, was washed off the Picton Castle that sailed from my home town of Lunenburg. The search has been suspended off Cape Cod. The whole town mourns when we lose someone else at sea.

Hey Harold, Looks like your 50+ club is still growing !! And the stories are fantastic !! Let’s hear more !! That must have been quite a site seeing Jackie Robinson like that. I too would love to see a Gagne / Martin battery for years to come, time will tell.

Looks like Boras still has the bidding war going for Gagne, TX and Cleveland, both losing teams and long shots for post season honors in 2007. Makes you ask, why would he even think of going to a losing team, when a real contender has offered him almost as much money ??

I just read the story in the LA Times earlier today about the girl washed off the ship. Very sad, our thoughts are with the family.

The 50+ club is definitely growing. Might soon be able to control the board room. I hope as you say, “If you keep it open, he will come” Eric did receive a $1M buyout from the Dodgers so he could keep that in his calculation. Texas and Cleveland have quite a few nice hitters but not the chuckers. I would think Eric would like the direction the Dodgers are going and want to be a part of it. However, he wants to close and can’t be guaranteed that by Ned. I guess it will all come out in the wash. The Dodgers didn’t take anyone in the Rule 5 draft. – either it was not a good draft or there was not roster space. I expect not as we have Ray’s kids to fill those spaces. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

Other than the World Series wins, Which I attended in the 60’s. My greatest DODGER thrill was Attending ROY CAMPANELLA NIGHT @ the L.A. Coleseum in 58 or 59, I can’t remember now. There we 90,0000 people in attendance and all the lights were turned off and everyone struck a match in honor of ROY. What a sight to see 90,000 matches alight I will never forget that sight.

See that’s the thing. what in this life is guaranteed. if Gagne comes into spring training throwing like he did in 2004, then no doubt about it, he becomes the closer, if he’s still a ways away, even he can understand that he’s best served as a low-pressure setup guy till his arms back to form. Especially if Saito, Broxton or Brazoboan are lights out.

If Gagne’s (Boras) goal is for a longterm contract in 2008, which I’m sure it pretty much is, you’d think they’d want to have a low-era, some holds, some saves through the season rather than a high era, blown saves and demotion to mop up guy after the first month. My 2 cents

hi guys, I am back, didn’t make it to my tuesday appt. with the cardiogyist. Last friday very early a.m. I had a heart attack. went to the hospital, put in the ambulance to Bend Oregon,
They put a tube up my right arm, through my veins, and into my heart. found that one of my main arteries was blocked. my heart had created

it’s own bypass, but they were closed to blocked, the doctors put in a stint, invites my wife and daughter in to see the pictures , then pulled the equipement, and the tube out of my arm. now they drug you up with “you don’t care drugs, where you know, and feel what is going on, but don’t care. over two hours later I was back in my

hospital room. did okay overnight so released the next day. now to take it easy for a week, then back to work.

nice to hear that frank. wish you well in the near future as well. just wanted to ask what peoples opinions would be if we gave gagne 4 million and he ends up being/getting hurt. i just read up above that someone wants to see a gagne/martin battery for years to come.??? the guy has pitched what 15 innings in two years. i dont think that battery is reasonable for months to come let alone years.

WAY TO GO FRANK !!! Good to hear your up and around !! Sounds exactly like what Lasorda had done !!

graffitigenius I was trying to say that I would love to see it in the future if all the stars are aligned etc… But that prospect is quickly going down stream !! Hot Stove says the Rangers are actively talking to Boras about Gagne !! I’m still holding out hope that all of this is a Boras ploy to drive up the Dodger number and that Gagne is still committed to staying with the Dodgers !! And Oh Yes I do still believe in Santa Claus, in fact we watched the original “Miracle on 34th Street” yesterday.

‘”Jackie, tears streaming down his face, tried to beg off further honors.” They just loved him in Montreal.’

That’s why I’m here, in a way. I’m from Montreal, not born until 1948, but the Royals and the Dodgers were my father’s teams for that reason. (Almost every famous “Boys of Summer” of the great Dodger pennant teams of the 50’s played first for the Royals, the Dodgers’ AAA team. Snider, Campanella, Robinson, Reese, etc. etc all played first in Montreal. So did Tommy Lasorda, by the way – for 10 years.) I was only 7, but I remember the 1955 World Series win and listening to Dodger games on the radio.

I had already left Montreal (for studies elsewhere) when the Expos arrived, so I never got attached to them. And then I went to England for 20 years. (Any cricket fans here?) When I returned to North America in 1993, it was to Santa Barbara, just up the road from LA. So my team is now almost local now. I didn’t really get “involved” until the 2004 season though. This year I watched every game on TV (first year I’ve had “extended” cable incl. Fox Prime Ticket) in the 2nd half. I’ll be at Dodger Stadium next summer…

I’m not a big fan of “The Mailbag”, however I thought the answer to the Gagne question was right on the mark. For all of those who are disgusted by Gagne following the dollar or, greed as you put it, what say you about he $550,000 Cy Young year. I’m thinking you’d say the same thing I’d say, that’s baseball. The sad reality is that Gagne taking more money is too. Whether it be $4 mil. or $25 mil., $2 mil. is still a big chunk of change. I certainly love the Dodgers, but as far as questioning Gagne’s loyalty, remember we all live in glass houses, including the Dodgers. They traded Robinson to the GIANTS for pitcher **** Littlefield and $35,000. It’s a slippery sloap when we start slinging arrows Gagne’s way.

Euhlman, thank you for the Robinson story. I had never heard that. Also, I did hear the Gainey story and my prayers are with him and his

Way to go Frank. We’re all pulling for you. Sounds like you are a grinder. berkowit -welcome aboard. We keep picking up new posters. You’re right – all those great Dodgers passed through Montreal. Tommy won the most games of any pitcher in the old international league. Also Montreal was a great place for Jackie, Campy, Newk to prepare for entering MLB. They all played in Montreal in 1946. Jackie refused to play for the Giants after he was traded. Henry – I read the mailbag too. I also remember that Gagne had to go to arbitration after his 2003 Cy Young year instead of having a contract offer made to him. He had 55 saves that year and although his arbitration settlement was $5M, he had asked $8M. He did not allow it to affect his performance in 2004. Henry is right – loyalty is a two way street. I guess this 50+ club puts us in there with Tommy and Vin – not too shabby. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

Henry you and I can assosciate with Pee Wee. This is one of my favorite Dodger stories. “Harold Henry “Pee Wee” Reese (July 23, 1918 – August 14, 1999) was an American professional baseball player who played for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1940 to 1958. Reese was a ten-time All Star shortstop who contributed to seven league championships for Brooklyn.

His most prestigious contribution to the sport was early support of the first black Major League Baseball player, Jackie Robinson. He refused to sign a petition that threatened a boycott if Robinson joined the team. When Robinson joined the Dodgers in 1947 and traveled with them during their first road trip, he was heckled by fans in Cincinnati, Ohio. Reese, the captain of the team, went over to Robinson and put his arm around his shoulder in a gesture of support which silenced the crowd. The gesture was especially telling because Reese was born and raised in then-segregated Louisville, Kentucky.

“Pee Wee helped make my boyhood dream come true to play in the Majors, the World Series. When Pee Wee reached out to Jackie, all of us in the Negro League smiled and said it was the first time that a White guy had accepted us. When I finally got up to Brooklyn, I went to Pee Wee and said, ‘Black people love you. When you touched Jackie, you touched all of us.’ With Pee Wee, it was No. 1 on his uniform and No. 1 in our hearts.”

It just seemed with Dodger history, what had to be done got done. Gotta love Pee Wee. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

Harold – You never cease to amaze me buddy. All of you guys !! What great stories !! I only wish I had any kind of story of such meaningful value to share. I mean I remember going to the stadium with my Dad and Grandfather and sitting in the bleachers and watching Drysdale during his continuous streak and Orel then matching it years later. But you guys are telling things that belong in history books and taught in school. Thank you for sharing !! It’s truly a pleasure to sit back and listen / read.

Frank, the best of health to you and glad you are with us. Great stuff I’m reading here.
On Pee Wee, there was a story about him in a NY paper when he died. It was told to a reporter by 2 women who remembered it in such detail it was like it happened yesterday.

These girls were in their late teens in 1951 and were the leaders of the Pee Wee fan club and Duke Snider fan club, respectively. Wearing their Dodger jackets they attended the “Shot Heard Around the World” game at the Polo Grounds. During the game, they were berated by Giant fans, and after Thomson’s shot, they were in fear for their lives as Giant fans were physically abusive. They made it out of the park, and were standing in front of the Polo Grounds and were continuing to get physically assaulted when a car pulls up and stops. Pee Wee is driving, with Duke in the passenger seat. Pee Wee tells them to get in and proceeds to drive them home. The ladies said they cried all the way home, with Pee Wee and Duke consoling them. To this day, they couldn’t believe that Pee Wee, after the toughest defeat of his career, was more concerned with them being so upset.

I agree with the poster who mentioned a dislike for “The Mailbag” articles on the homepage. Gurnick is pretty clueless, especially when it comes to discussing prospects. Examples of this ignorance include him harping on LaRoche’s 2006 Spring Training performance being some sort of detriment to Andy’s future. Nevermind that LaRoche only had a half season of Double-A under his belt at the time. And, of course, his 2006 minor league numbers — where LaRoche proved to be the most polished and disciplined hitter in our system — get totally glossed over.

Another annoying Gurnick line was in the story about re-signing Nomar. The inevitability of Nomar missing time due to injury over the next 2 years didn’t stop Gurnick from proclaiming James Loney ‘expendable and tradeable.’ Just nauseating.

Momo and everyone else i absolutely agree about Kenny Gurnick. He knows not much, and is certainly not a Dodger’s fan. Great point about the Loney comment– i remember that well. But just to point out how bad he is: a month of so ago before we resigned Nomar Kenny gave his 1 cent about how Nomar is not worth it and how he doesnt think it would be a good signing at all, and i mean forcing the point that Nomar, our leader, has no place on the team… Taking a page out of the Depodesta book clearly… and i write him this long email about Nomar’s strenth’s and how he will be healthier this coming year following a full year (almost) of action, and Gurnick just responds with a snotty, “I think the Dodgers will resign him and i think he will be injury plagued” like he almost wants it to happen…
Graffiti- if we signed Gagne for 4 million and he was hurt i would be fine with it, because we showed him loyalty. We would have given him a final shot, showed we care loads about his well-being, and if he is hurt we atleast know that we did everything humanly possible to stand behind this man who was so good to us for a few years…

dagliolo – What a great story. Pee Wee certainly was a leader in every sense of the word. I remember the final out in 1955 but the most vivid memory is the Amoros catch off Berra. He threw a perfect relay to Pee Wee and Pee Wee doubled McDougal off first.
Hodges drove in both runs. Amoros was a Cuban who spoke almost no English when he arrived on the scene. When asked if he thought he could make the catch, he replied,”I don’t know. I just run like ****.” His 1955 card is one of the cards I lucked out with at the flea market. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

euhlman and dagliolo, both wonderful stories. I learn something new everytime I log on to this blog. From both the older and younger fans.

While I was not fortunate enough to get to see those great Dodger/men play, I was more times than not put to bed with stories of the Dodgers of the past. One I remember my Dad telling me was when the Dodgers played the Reds in Cinci. This was right across the river from Pee Wee’s home state of Kentucky AND, Cinci was not found of an African-American playing in the bigs (gave Robinson trouble is whole career). At the bottom of the first the Dodgers took the field. Robinson, for some reason I believe he was penciled in to play first this game, came out of the dugout. A hush came over the crowd then the boos, slurs, etc. Pee Wee realized what was happening and walked over to Jackie and put is arm around him and and gave him words of encouragement. The crowd went silent. Pee Wee gave a clear message to his statesmen, team, friends, and family where he stood. Not many of us get to, nor would, lay it all on the line on such a grand stage. What a man of character and of class.

dagliolo, I say this with complete sincerity. While my father was proud to be at that game, it was always a wound for him. Negative for obvious reasons. Subsequently, it’s been the same to my entire family. Your story sure changes that. I can’t wait to share that story with my Mom, brothers and sisters. It kind of makes the homer worth it. Thank you.

This was posted on foxsports.com, Rumor section, today. Boy, if true this is dirty. NOT surprising, but dirty.

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After briefly contemplating filing tampering charges against the Boston Red Sox for acting improperly in discussions with the agent for J.D. Drew, the Dodgers have decided against taking any action, baseball sources said Monday. Drew opted out of the last three years of his contract Nov. 10, walking away from $33 million and raising suspicion that agent Scott Boras had discussed Drew with another team while the outfielder was still a Dodger. Drew signed a five-year, $70-million deal with the Red Sox last week.

1) I honestly doubt Drew will put out $70 million worth of performance. After the wrist injury, I have to wonder if he’ll be more than a 20 or 25 homer a year guy. Expect Boston to treat him not as a right fielder but a center fielder, because they don’t think much of Coco Crisp, and they don’t think Willy Mo Pena is ready for cleanup quite yet. As for whether he can take the media pressure, I would be surprised if he doesn’t request a trade by the end of next season or starts talking about how he misses palm trees and beach balls.

2) That said, I don’t know one way or the other if any tampering occurred with Drew. On the one hand, he had the best career OBP for an outfielder on the market and he had the best combination of defense and offense. I know for sure that Boras promised him pay similar to what he got, and that was what he got out of the deal. Whether he went the extra mile to actually take some bids in case Drew wanted more assurance, I don’t know, although if that was the case, I think that he appropriate action by MLB would not be to return Drew, but to suspend Boras from all MLB-related activity until May 1, 2008.

3) Gurnick hit the rare nail on the head in the remark, “You can be sure of this, and I write it in admiration of a clever agent — any player that hires Scott Boras cares about the money.” In light of that, there is one reason to feel jealous of Cub fans, and that is Carlos Zambrano, their ace who fired Scott Boras this past January.

4) The only thing I see left for LA to do at this point, given Gonzo and Pierre are still our starting left and center fielders, is for them to trade Tomko and Hendrickson for a decent young reliever. I like Jon Rauch for the job, and I think that the high number of homers given up may show that the power of the Mets, Braves and Phillies lineups was stronger than the effects of playing in DC, especially since in his 91 innings last year, he gave up 4 homers in 49 innings at home and 9 in 42 innings away. Playing 20 games in the Philly launching pad will do that to you.

5) Also, I don’t know if I said this but congratulations to the McCourts. It’s great to see the success the organization has had in helping the community, and I hope it can continue though the future.

I’m one of the younger ones on this page – I’m only 25. I actually was taught to be a Dodger fan by my late great-grandmother. She had season tickets for years to go see the Dodgers play. Every year, right behind the home dugout. Through the 70’s and 80’s, many of the players knew her by name. She used to tell me stories of the greatest Dodger infield ever, Don Drysdales’ incredible streak, then when Orel beat it. Stories about Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee, all of them. She loved the guys from the 70’s the most, though. Davey Lopes was her favorite, she used to always tell me how nice he was. In one game Steve Garvey broke a bat and brought the pieces back to her. She had the sweet end made into a table lamp. I never realized how much Dodger stuff she had accumulated over the years until we were cleaning out her house after she passed away. There were old pictures of her with all the Dodger greats of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. Tommy Lasorda, Sandy Koufax, all four from the 70’s infield, Orel Hershiser, Don Drysdale, etc.

I was born in 1981 (yes, a Dodger championship year) and one of my earliest baseball memories is watching Kirk Gibson hit that home run. It was so quiet in my house when he came up to bat, that I swear no one was even breathing. Then it went over the fence and that calmness turned into a roar.

I just figured that since everyone else was posting their “how I became a Dodger fan” stories, I would too. And just in case you’re wondering; yes, I have the lamp.

dualtone – That is unbelievable. First, born in a championship year. Then the super collection and recollection of the Dodgers and your great grandmother. Great story. Thanks. Sorry to see Eric go. In any event, good health and success wherever you land Eric. Thanks for the memories. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

i like the idea of shipping hendrickson and tomko off for a good solid middle maybe long reliever. i havent checked any stats for tomko but he was struggling out of the bullpen for a while i think he should start.

greatest dodger memory as a child for me was camping at Leo Carillo state beach in 88′ listening to kirk gibson hit that home run on the radio. the whole campground was silent, and when he hit the whole place just erupted.People were driving around high fiving each other, honking, just in total awe.it was amazing. do you guys remember the old dodger pins you would get at 76 gas station?my grandmother bought me all of them i have the whole set in packages.just seing if anyone else has them.

Since every one is giving there memories, I’ll give mine: I was born in ’85 and, you’re going to call me crazy, but I remember sitting in my living room, watching the ’88 series. My whole family was there watching, as a matter of fact, they bought a brand new TV to watch the series. Anyway, when Gibby hit that HR, everyone jumped up and went crazy.. my older sister had my baby sister on her lap and dropped her when the ball went over the wall.. we always talk about that and now all my little nephews and neices are Dodger fans… I hope they can have a memory like that soon!!!

graffitigenius and benny – that Gibson homer is the great uniter. I bet every Dodger fan knows where he/she was when Gibby connected. The only non-Dodger event I can remember as well is sadly the day President Kennedy was shot. I was sitting in the library at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. There were so many tears you would have thought it was the Canadian Prime Minister or some other noteable Canadian who had died. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

“3) Gurnick hit the rare nail on the head in the remark, “You can be sure of this, and I write it in admiration of a clever agent — any player that hires Scott Boras cares about the money.” In light of that, there is one reason to feel jealous of Cub fans, and that is Carlos Zambrano, their ace who fired Scott Boras this past January.” from patriotacts

Sad to see Gagne go, but at least he’s out of our league / division. With inter league play it’s only a matter of time before we see him again in Dodger Stadium. But not this coming year, we have TB, TOR, LAA in 2007. If we see him it’ll have to be in the WS.

To be honest, I am a little upset at Gagne. He made a comment, some could even argue a promise, that he would be willing to resign with the dodgers, to “repay” them for the 20 million he took while barely pitching. Then he goes and hires that *** Boras, and totally ditches us. I hope he never sees the level of success he saw with us!!!

davidb86, I hope Gagne prospers…and then re-signs with us in ’08. Saito is only under contract for one year with the Dodgers, and Gagne reportedly for one year also. I’m glad to let another team take the $8 million gamble; hopefully we can reap the dividends next offseason, if there are any to reap.

Well, I guess it’s my turn to share some of my best Dodger memories. As one of the 50+ guys (today is my 53rd birthday), I was one of the lucky guys who had the pleasure of seeing the new L.A. Dodgers play their first home game at the L.A. Coliseum on April 18, 1958.

Even though I was only four years old at the time, I can still vividly remember being dwarfed in a crowd of 78,672 screaming fans. It was incredible and is the very foundation of my loyalty as a Dodger fan.

Over the next couple of years, my father took my brothers and me to several Dodger games at the Coliseum. My favorite player at the time was Wally Moon, who is best known for his towering homeruns to right field called “moon shots” by Vin Scully.

When the Dodgers moved into their new home at Dodger Stadium, I continued to accompany my dad to many games. Back then it cost $1.50 for a ticket into the Left Field Pavilion – my favorite seats even to this day (and where my season seats are located). The price for a kid’s ticket was $.75.

Having a 12 year old son of my own, I have a new found respect for my late father’s patience with me. “Can I get a malt? Can I get some cotton candy? Can I get a souvenir?” I now appreciate my father’s love for my brothers, my sister, and me a lot more than ever before.

I was fortunate enough to attend game-3 of the 1963 World Series against the Yankees. (I HATE the Yankees!). My brother Tom and I ditched school (with my father’s blessings, of course) and we stood in line all day at the Dodger ticket office on Elysian Park Ave. to get our tickets. And then to watch Don Drysdale shut out Jim Bouton and the Yankees 1-0 enroute to a four game sweep was awesome!

Although it wasn’t the Dodgers, I was able take my son Timothy to game-2 of the 2002 World Series at Anaheim Stadium against the equally hated Giants. Timothy was interviewed by a news team prior to the game, where he said (completely unsolicited) “Even though I like the Angels, I am a really a Dodger fan.” (Man that boy did me proud!).

During a Dodger game in 1974, I got a Steve Garvey foul ball while seated in the Loge Box seats. Although I was never able to get the ball signed by Steve, I do have a personalized autograph from him that my wife got for me when she ran into him at the Burbank Airport.

This past season, Timothy got to “Take the field with the Dodgers”, where kids get to run out onto the field when the Dodgers do and get an autographed baseball from the position players. Timothy’s assigned player was future Hall of Famer Jeff Kent. He later got autographs from Nomar and Kenny Lofton.

As a LFP season ticket holder, I always get to every home game early to watch BP. Doing so has netted me nearly 100 BP homerun baseballs over the past two seasons. I only keep the ones that I catch and give the rest to the many youngsters who otherwise would have little chance at getting a ball. The look on their young faces when I hand them a “real” baseball is absolutely priceless. I also have quite a collection of baseballs tossed up to me by Dodger players shagging fly balls during BP. Some of my most precious ones were thrown to me by Eric Gagne (during the three days he was on the active roster last season), Takashi Saito, Grady Little, just to name a few. My prize BP homerun balls (that I caught) include those hit by Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Andrea Ethier, and Vladimir Guerrero (at Angel Stadium when the Dodger played the Angels there). I also have several between inning J.D. Drew / Kenny Lofton warm-up balls thrown to me by Lofton.

Needless to say, I have been a Dodger fan all of my life – in other words, I have been a Dodger fan since 1953 (but you guys already knew that).

If he does prosper, and I’m hoping that he will, we might be kicking ourselves that the Dodgers didn’t offer more to keep him now. Again, if he does well, I’m afraid his price tag will be more than the Dodgers will be willing to spend next year. I say all of this feeling that the Dodger offer was indeed fair.

Gary and puppyhead are right. Take the high road and we never lose. It is time to move on and get back in the Manny chase. I too hope Eric has a longer, successful career. Puppyhead, I thought you were going to say you remembered the series the year you were born. Now that would be a story. Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

53 – Pretty cool. When we visited LA in 1985 Jamie and I always got there in time for BP. But, we never got a ball. We did get a couple at Vero Beach. I missed one, just plain booted one, at the old timers game at Dodger Stadium. I moved up the line when they took BP realizing they would not hit the ball as far. All by myself Willie Davis hit a bounder I should have had. I reached over the wall and just plain missed it. We later got his autograph but not a ball. It’s hard to imagine what it would be like to get so many balls hit or touched by so many players. Some guys stay like kids all their lives. Way to go 53. Never give up that kid like desire. By the way, I expected you to say you hated the Yankees. I guess the Vladi ball sidetracked you. Oh, another by the way, was it a coincidence that you headed south during the same week Pamela Anderson broke up with Kid Rock, or was there a connection?Go Ned!! Go Dodgers!!

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